Tag Archives: destruction

The one thing that has always kept Egypt constantly thriving is also the one thing that can hurt it the most: the Nile. This river has the ability to sustain life while simultaneously being able to destroy the past. Archaeologists have been locked in a constant struggle for ages trying to protect and preserve archeological sites threatened by the watery powerhouse. This is a massive subject to cover; therefore, this paper will specifically focus on the effects caused by the building of the dam at Aswan.

There are some very important questions to be considered on this topic. Why is cultural heritage being destroyed by the Nile, why specifically the Aswan Dam? As a result, what of significance has been lost? What, if anything can be recovered? What is being done today to prevent any further annihilation of archeological sites surrounding the dam?

Why does this matter? Because of the building of the Aswan Dam, numerous sites were about to be compromised and as a result some of them were dismantled, transported to a new location, and then reassembled for permanent residence. This massive effort also aided in the discovery of sites that may have never been found if not for the Nubian campaign held by UNESCO. Since the effort for removal and preservation was so expansive, there was an impact on the development of different, new, and improved archaeological field methods.

One of the main focuses of this rescue effort was the two temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. The carved temple itself and four colossal statues of the pharaoh were sawed into huge blocks and reconstructed on higher ground. The smaller temple, four statues of Ramses II, and two of Nefertiti were subject to the same process.

Another site that was removed from its original location was the temple complex on Philae Island. This site was a little more complicated because it was submerged by the construction of the first Aswan Dam and had to be fortified and the water pumped out before the relocation to Agilkyia Island could begin.

Equally as important as the temples of Ramses II and the complex on Philae Island is the site of Qasr Ibrim in Lower Nubia. Why? Because it is the ONLY ancient settlement not forced underwater by the forming of Laker Nasser during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Even so, it is not entirely safe forever as some of the site has been affected by high lake levels in the recent past.

This was an effort of rescue archaeology and was the first large-scale effort to do so anywhere in the world. Such a process was increasingly used into the 20th century because of the growing danger caused by population expansion and economic development.

Hopefully this paper will bring home the thought that Egypt’s cultural heritage is still important and must be saved at all costs. The Nile has done wonders for Egyptian society and life but it cannot be allowed to simply destroy significant archaeological sites without an effort to prevent the damage.

References:

Bard, Kathryn. (2008). An Introduction to the Archeology of Ancient Egypt. Malden: Blackwell.

About ANP455

The class challenges students to explore the origins and fluorescence of the rich cultures of Egypt, ranging from the earliest foundations of the Egyptian state in the 5th century B.C. to the splendors of Roman Egypt under the rule of Cleopatra. By exploring case studies that highlight the extraordinary archaeological heritage of ancient Egypt, the course focuses students’ attentions on key anthropological concepts, such as kinship, ritual, political economy, mortuary practices, and cultural contact. In addition, the class explores the foundations and development of Egyptian archaeology as a discipline, as well as the ways in with the interest and obsession with ancient Egypt has manifested in popular culture.